Annual report 2023

Leuven surgeons transplant four organs during one procedure in a toddler

20 December 2023

A team of UZ Leuven doctors has recently replaced all abdominal organs in a toddler for the first time in Belgium: stomach, liver, pancreas as well as the small intestine were transplanted in one procedure. The young patient was successfully operated on and is doing well.

UZ Leuven helps build a climate-neutral Leuven

30 November 2023

A week ago, UZ Leuven signed the first Leuven Climate Contract: 10 pioneering guiding principles, more than 30 partners, 86 break-through projects met actual commitments and a financial strategy, brought together to accelerate Leuven's readiness for climate neutrality by 2030.

UZ Leuven recognised as the first forensic medical institute in our country

23 November 2023

The federal department of justice has recognised the UZ Leuven department of forensic medicine as the first forensic medical institute (FMI) of our country. The additional financial support and the recognition as a centre of expertise are a big leap forward for forensic medicine in Belgium.

Coloured arrows at the Gasthuisberg campus make way for modern street plan

26 October 2023

Anyone coming to the UZ Leuven Gasthuisberg campus after Monday 30 October, will no longer be following the iconic coloured arrows. In its place you will find your way via clear and future-proof signage, based on streets and addresses.

First week without IV feed on intensive care results in better blood glucose control

28 September 2023

A large comparative study confirms it is not a good idea to start IV feed too quickly to patients during their first week on intensive care. The need to adjust blood glucose levels with an insuline pump appears less big when patients did not receive IF feed early on.

New drug against Crohn's disease available

1 September 2023

Good new for patients with Crohn's disease: the new, promising drug risankizumab is since recently being reimbursed. Another two drugs will come on the market soon: one for Crohn's disease and another for colitis ulcerosa, that other chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Irradiation on the heart for life-threatening arrhythmias is Belgian first

26 May 2023

UZ Leuven is the first to radiate a patient's heart to help prevent life-threatening arrhythmias.

Transplantoux team Belgium scores at the World Transplant Games 2023

24 April 2023

For 7 days, Perth (Australia) was the decor of the 24th edition of the World Transplant Games (WTG), the biggest sporting event worldwide for transplant patients. Led by Transplantoux (TPX) Belgium, the 20-strong Belgian delegation also participated in the games, and successfully.

First proven medicine for aggressive desmoid tumours

9 March 2023

Leuven researchers collaborated on a brand new gamma-secretase inhibitor for rare connective tissue tumours. "It is the first time that we were able to find a medicine against aggressive desmoid tumours with convincing clinical evidence."

Cardiology papers from UZ Leuven doctors among the world's top 10

2 February 2023

Every year the leading European Heart Journal selects the top 10 of best scienctific publications in cardiology of the past year. This year the top 10 includes two papers that UZ Leuven doctors collaborated on: prof. dr. Lucas Van Aelst and prof. dr. Christophe Vandenbriele.

Plexus hospital network the first in Flanders to get approval for a regional care-strategic plan

24 January 2023

The Flemish government has given its approval for the regional care-strategic plan of the hospital netwerk Plexus, a collaboration between AZ Diest, Heilig Hart Leuven, RZ Tienen and UZ Leuven.

New gene therapy for congenital blindness

13 January 2023

The first gene therapy for hereditary retinal disease, voretigene neparvovec or Luxturna, has recently been approved for use. UZ Leuven doctors have treated a first patient with this new type of gene therapy. If diagnosed in time, Luxturna can prevent further progression of the disorder.